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The Dark Frigate

by Charles Boardman HAWES (1889 - 1923)

Chapter 5: Sir John Bristol

The frigate Rose of Devon rescues from a wreck in mid-ocean twelve men who show their gratitude by seizing the Rose, killing her captain and sailing toward the Caribbean where they hope to plunder Spanish towns and galleons. Mistaking an English man-of-war for a merchantman, they are captured and brought back to England for trial. Only one, an English lad, Philip Marsham, a member of the original crew of the Rose, is acquitted; and he, after adventures in the forces of King Charles, tires of Cromwell's England and sails for Barbados once more on the Rose of Devon. The Dark Frigate has long been a favorite story for boys and in 1924 was awarded the John Newbery Medal, given annually "for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." When The Dark Frigate was first published F. F. Van deWater in The New York Tribune said: "No one, we think, has written so perfect a pirate tale since Treasure Island." (from the dustjacket of the first edition)

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Listen next episodes of The Dark Frigate:
Chapter 10: Between Midnight and Morning , Chapter 11: Head Winds and a Rough Sea , Chapter 12: The Porcupine Ketch , Chapter 13: A Bird to be Limed , Chapter 14: A Wonderful Excellent Cook , Chapter 15: A Lonesome Little Town , Chapter 16: The Harbour of Refuge , Chapter 17: Will Canty , Chapter 18: Tom Jordan's Mercy , Chapter 19: A Man Seen Before , Chapter 20: A Prize for the Taking , Chapter 21: Ill Words Come True , Chapter 22: Back to the Inn , Chapter 23: And Old Sir John , Chapter 24: And Again the Rose of Devon , Chapter 6: The Rose of Devon , Chapter 7: The Ship's Liar , Chapter 8: Storm , Chapter 9: The Master's Guest